Erick Howenstine - Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

Professor: Erick Howenstine

Department: Geography

College: Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GIS391
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He can be rude at times, through email and in person. He sometimes acts bothered when students ask for help. His exam questions tend to be very unclear, which causes confusion among many students. Beware, the exams are difficult and challenging, which has its pros and cons! Be prepared to work as there are weekly, intense homework assignments.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GIS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

His class was certainly a challenge. Lot's of assignments and projects, and deadlines. However, you're not in grade school, this is a university level course. I learned a lot, and had I put in just a bit more effort I would've scored an A, instead I barely got myself a B.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: 391
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I struggled taking the course because I had too many classes but Eric helped me during the course and allowed me to make things up. His lectures required full attention and he is very concise. I learn so much about latest GIS technology. I highly recommend this course. Do come prepared to learn and you'll do well.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GIS1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Howenstine is the worst professor I have ever had the displeasure of working with. I am a straight A student and got a D in the course even though I asked the TA for extra help on every assignment. Avoid his classes like the plague! I hope he reads this and quits teaching GIS forever. So glad that course is over!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GES397
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This professor is not only useless, but he is also a total jerk. He doesn't use the text book, never gives out perfect grades, and doesn't know what the heck he is doing. The TA really should have been the one to teach this class. Howenstine should never teach a GIS class ever again.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GES391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Absolutely terrible instructor! He confuses more than he clarifies. He is a Ph.D. researcher and uses GIS, but seems to have no understanding of how to convey ideas in written form, despite having an M.A. in journalism, of all things. I would never take a course from this character again, he's not a teacher; just a researcher.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GES391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Erick is a nice fellow, but his course so far appears out of sorts, powerpoint screenshots don't match up with current version of software, powerpoint instructions are not clear, exam questions are not clear, no study guides, projects are becoming time consuming at only 6 weeks into introductory class. I think I'll pass on GIS II.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GES391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He tried to use the "flipped class" approach without actually knowing what that means. Be sure to do your own work because he won't explain anything in detail. Videos are boring as balls. No text book usage. He said there will be "no homework" but there is.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GES391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy is one of the last people that should teach GIS. He thought himself GIS and simply turns more students away from this than he brings to this. Take the first class at another school if you can. This guy just can't teach and simply will not let go of this class which has became his pet project.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GIS391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

It's challenging but I've learned a lot. I'd recommend to anyone if you really interested to the subject area. You have to put your heart in it. Thanks to Prof.Erick.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GIS391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He can't teach in the class. He don't what he doing in the class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEOG391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He the bad teacher in the class!!!! He can't teach!!!! He don't tell you how it the homework it good. He change it all the time for not the student in the class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GIS2280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Don't take him. He change the homework all the time.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GIS2280
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He can't teach!!!! Don't take him!!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEOGGEOG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Don't take him. He can't teach. He change the assignment all the time. His test it very hard. You can't pass the class. He don't us the ARCGIS 10.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEO377
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Erick is a very nice guy. He is a good person and cares a lot about his students. He is over worked. Erick balances two departments which is not easy. He has a lot in his hands. I think he is the greatest person I have ever met. Keep up the good work Erick.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GIS390
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I cannot understand how the university gave him control of the Geography, Environmental Studies and Economics departments. It seems that he has no interest in students in any of these programs. He was never once helpful, and acts like he's bothered when students try to talk to him. He should retire from teaching.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GIS391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This man has a personality of cardboard, no teaching skill, and makes you feel as if you are a burden if you need help. After telling you he'll do things one way he'll act surprised later when you ask him to recall his commitments. He destroyed any hope I had of becoming certified in GIS through NEIU. Go anywhere but here for this certification.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GEO387
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Challenging, but rewarding. Learned a lot.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GES377
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Excellent. Interesed, and interesting. And perhaps the sexiest man on campus....if you like the smartly dressed, greying, impish type. Not an easy A but a worthy one.